Switch-operating mechanism.



G. G. PORTER.

SWITCH OPERATING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION TILED 0O'I'.16. 1908.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

@eozye CPb/fE/Z wm 5m nun. & M an Pawn-mm manual-okra GEORGE C. PORTER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

Application filed October 15, 1908. Serial No. 457,889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE C. PORTER, a citizen of the United States, residing in St. Louis city and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch-Operating Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic switch operating mechanisms whereby a switch can be automatically opened by an approaching train and locked in open position during the passage of the train and then automatically released by a device on the tail end of the train to permit the switch to return to closed position.

The invention has for one of its objects to improve and simplify the construction and operation of apparatus of this character so as to be comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and install, and reliable and eiiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an inclined member located on the track and connected with the bar to which both switch points are attached for the purpose of being engaged by a shoe or other device carried by the locomotive to cause the switch to open in time for a train to enter the switch, in combination with an automatically-set lock for holding the switch points in open position until the train has passed, there being a device on the rear end of the train for releasing the lock to permit the switch to close for subsequent trains to pass on the main line.

lVith these objects in view and others, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described hereinafter and set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanylng drawing, which illustrates one embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of the switch and operating mechanism. Figs. 2 and 3 are sections on lines 22 and 3-3, respectively.

Similar reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawing, A designates the main line track from which leads a switch or siding B, and at the siding are the usual switch points 1 and 2. These points are connected together by a connecting bar 3 which extends beyond the track at one side and is connected with the switch stand G that includes a lever 4 that is hingedly 0011-.

nected at 5 by a slot and pin joint with the extension 6 of the bar 3. By'means of the lever 1-, the switch can be manually opened, as occasion requires. The switch is adapted to be locked open by a lock bolt 7 mounted free end of the trip being raised when the bolt is in looking position so that it can be struck by a device on the tail end of the train for releasing the bolt when the train has passed the switch point. On the extension rod 6 is a helical extension spring 15 that has one end fastened to the bearing 16 through which the rod 6 extends, and the other end of the spring is connected with the rod so as to move the latter in a direction for closing the switch as soon as the locking device is released. The switch is adapted to be opened by a device such as a shoe on a locomotive which can be depressed by the engineer when the train approaches the switch and this device is adapted to strike a horizontal shift lever 17 disposed between the rails of the track and inclined thereto with its free end hingedly connected at 18 with the switch point bar 3, and its other end pivoted to one of the cross ties at 19 which passes through a slot in the shift lever.

Normally, the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, and as the train approaches, the shoe is depressed by the engineer so as to strike the lever 17 for the purpose of opening the switch. The lever 17 is thrown to one side and moves the bar 3 so as to change the position of the switch points and at the same time expand the spring 15. hen the switch is fully opened, the locking bolt 7 will enter the opening 9 and lock the switch open. As soon as the train passes through the switch, the device on the rear end thereof or caboose will strike the trip 12 and release the locking bolt so as to thereby permit the spring 15 to again close the switch.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrawith said switch points to normally hold the same in a given position, a shift lever having connection with the switch points and adapted to be operated by means of the train for throwing the switch, a lock adapted to automatically secure the switch in the moved position, and a trip connected with said lock and adapted to be operated by the car after the same has cleared the switch to release the lock and admit of the switch returning automatically to normal position.

2.- In a railway switch comprising movable switch points, a bar connecting said points and a spring normally exerting a forceto hold the switch in a given position, a shift lever pivotally connected with the bar joining the switch points and adapted to be operated from the car for throwing the switch in opposition to the said spring,

a lock adapted to automatically engage the said bar for holding the switch in the moved position and a trip connected with said lock and adapted to be operated from the car to efiect release of the said bar whereby the switch points may automatically return to normal position.

3. The combination of a main line, a switch, movable switch points, a bar connected with the switch points and having an aperture, an extension rod connected with one end of the bar, an operating stand con nected -with the rod, a spring on the rod ar ranged to normally hold the switch points in a predetermined position, a lever connected with the bar to be actuated by a shoe on the moving train for changing the position of the switch points against the tension of the spring, a spring-pressed bolt arranged to enter the aperture when the switch points are moved by the lever, and a trip connected with the spring-pressed bolt and adapted to be thrown upwardly when the bolt is in looking position to be engaged by a device on the train for automatically releasing the bolt when the train passes the switch points.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, GEORGE C. PORTER.

Witnesses CHARLES S. JEWETT, F. E. CUNNINGHAM. 

